the cleverest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the cleverest' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has been identified as the most intelligent in a given situation or comparison. Example: "Of all the students in John's year, John was the cleverest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I think I'm the cleverest.

The Guardian

WHICH countries have the cleverest hackers?

The Economist

The cleverest in the school.

The Guardian - Books

But Malcolm McLaren was always the cleverest.

The Guardian - Music

He was super clever – the cleverest person.

The Guardian - Music

Are we not the cleverest of tacticians?

The Guardian - Opinion

The cleverest friends would be rewarded.

The New York Times

Advertisements for cameras figure in some of the cleverest works.

The New York Times - Arts

The cleverest of the silly hats: two giant cupcakes.

The New York Times

Sometimes the cleverest, funniest people are the most unhappy.

The Economist

She was the cleverest woman I ever met".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the cleverest" when you want to emphasize not just intelligence, but also resourcefulness and ingenuity in solving problems. It implies a practical application of intelligence.

Common error

While "the cleverest" is widely acceptable, it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "the most intelligent" or "the most astute" in academic or professional writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the cleverest" functions as a superlative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses the highest degree of cleverness compared to others. Ludwig examples show it used to describe people, strategies and even objects, reinforcing its role in highlighting superior ingenuity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the cleverest" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that functions as a superlative adjective. It is best used to highlight superior intelligence, resourcefulness and ingenuity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its register is generally neutral, leaning toward informal, it appears most frequently in news and media sources. When choosing between "the cleverest" and alternatives like "the most intelligent", consider the specific nuance you want to convey and the formality of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most intelligent

Focuses directly on intelligence rather than the broader resourcefulness implied by "clever".

the smartest

A more informal synonym for "the most intelligent", suitable for everyday contexts.

the most ingenious

Emphasizes inventiveness and creativity rather than general intelligence.

the sharpest

A more concise and direct way of saying "the most clever", implying mental acuity.

the most astute

Highlights sharpness of mind and the ability to understand situations quickly.

the most resourceful

Focuses on the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

the most skilled

Emphasizes expertise and proficiency rather than innate intelligence.

the most adept

Highlights skill and quickness in performance.

the most gifted

Suggests a natural talent or innate ability.

the most talented

Highlights a special aptitude or skill in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I use "the cleverest" in a sentence?

You can use "the cleverest" to describe someone or something that is the most intelligent or resourceful compared to others. For example, "She was "the cleverest student" in the class" or "This is "the cleverest solution" I've seen so far".

What are some synonyms for "the cleverest"?

Alternatives to "the cleverest" include "the most intelligent", "the smartest", "the most ingenious", and "the most astute", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "the cleverest" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "the cleverest" might sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "the most intelligent" in academic or professional contexts. Consider the tone and audience of your writing.

What is the difference between "the cleverest" and "the smartest"?

While both refer to intelligence, "the cleverest" often implies resourcefulness and ingenuity, while "the smartest" more directly denotes general intelligence. The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect of intelligence you want to emphasize.